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Application Process

We make the complex understandable.

Whether it’s helping you complete and submit your Social Security Disability Insurance application or working through the appeals process, we are with you every step of the way—helping to make this complex and time-consuming process simpler for you and your loved ones.

While the application process can be long and overwhelming, our goal is to move you as quickly and directly as possible to receiving your benefits. We excel at helping our clients get early awards, which means you often don’t need to go through every step to receive your benefits.

We will work with you to gather all the information necessary to complete the required forms that enable us to represent you throughout the SSDI process.

Step 2

Your personal case advocate will help you prepare and file your initial application for benefits. After it is filed, your claim will be reviewed and processed on its technical merit by your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office to ensure you meet initial eligibility requirements.

Step 3

If your claim meets the initial requirements (sufficient work credits, citizenship requirements) a medical determination will be made by your state Disability Determination Services (DDS) agency. In order to verify your eligibility, the DDS office may provide additional questionnaires or request that you attend a Consultative Exam performed by a doctor of SSA’s choosing and paid for by SSA. Your case advocate will contact you with continuous updates as we monitor the progress of your application.

The Social Security Administration denies 65% of all claims at this level. In contrast, because we focus on getting early awards for our clients, most of the people we represent receive their award during this phase.

Step 4

If your claim is denied, your case advocate will immediately begin the appeals process—we make sure you don’t miss the 60-day deadline that SSA gives you to complete your appeal.

Depending on the state that you live in, you may move on to the Request for Reconsideration or Request for Hearing phase.

Reconsideration level: Four to six months

In most instances, the first level of appeal in the SSDI process is the Request for Reconsideration. Depending on which state you live in, if your initial SSDI claim is denied, we have 60 days from the date of the notice to file a Request for Reconsideration with SSA.

In most instances, the second level of appeal in the SSDI process is the Request for Hearing. If your Reconsideration request is denied, we have 60 days from the date of the notice to file a Request for Hearing.

During this step your claim will be:

Technically processed by your local SSA office.

Medically determined by your local Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).

At the ODAR your claim will be reviewed and assigned to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) prior to setting a hearing date.

Because of the heavy volume of requests at the SSA, the average processing time at this level is 12 to 18 months. During this time, your case advocate will:

Contact you to prepare for the hearing.

Conduct scheduled status checks and keep you updated on your claim.

At the hearing, your SSAD hearing advocate will offer compelling evidence before the ALJ as to how your disability impacts your ability to work.

It will take additional time for ODAR to process and mail your decision to you.

Appeals Council Review: 12 to 18 months

In most instances, the third level of appeal in the SSDI process is a Request for Appeals Council Review.

When the hearing decision is appealed, the Appeals Council will:

Review the decision to determine if your claim was adjudicated properly by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

Reverse or confirm the decision of the ALJ, or remand your case back to the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) for further review.

Receiving Your Benefits

When you are awarded Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, SSAD will help you receive payment, coordinate any overpayment with your long-term disability insurance carrier, and ensure that you are prepared for your Medicare entitlement.

“From day one I could not have asked for a more professional as well as compassionate group to deal with. You certainly made a difficult and somewhat confusing situation very easy.”

– Tim G, Gainesville, Florida

Let us get to work for you.

Hiring us means you’ll be have the best advocates in the country, laser focused on getting your claim awarded faster, and without the need to visit your local Social Security Office.

Our team is ready to begin working on your behalf to get you the benefits you deserve. Call us at 800-825-7734. Or, complete the contact form here, and we will call you at your convenience.